Preview: South Carolina at Florida, 7:15 p.m., Saturday

Urban Meyer can help send his team to another SEC title game with… (Gary W. Green, Orlando Sentinel )

November 12, 2010|By Rachel George, Orlando Sentinel

* Kickoff: 7:15 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

* TV: ESPN

* Weather: Sunny during the day, 60s at kickoff

* Quick slant: No one is shying away from calling this the biggest game of the season, because it is. At stake is the SEC Eastern Division title and a trip to the conference title game in Atlanta on Dec. 4. That would be a first for the Gamecocks, and a relief for the Gators after their first three-game losing streak under coach Urban Meyer. History favors Florida here, with the Gators posting a 17-1 record against South Carolina since they started playing each season in 1992. The Gamecocks' lone win came in 2005 in Columbia in Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer's first seasons with their respective teams.

* About No. 23 South Carolina (6-3, 4-3 SEC): At times, the Gamecocks have been outstanding. Earlier this season they upset then No. 1 Alabama. But at times, they've been dreadful. That would include a loss to Kentucky the next week. To be sure, the Gamecocks will have two of the best playmakers in the game. RB Marcus Lattimore ranks second in the SEC with 94 yards per game and first in scoring with 9.8 points per game. WR Alshon Jeffery leads the conference with 114.9 receiving yards per game. Toss in an SEC-leading rush defense (11th nationally) that ranks third nationally in sacks, and this is no cakewalk for Florida.

* About No. 22 Florida (6-3, 4-3 SEC): Few, including the Gators, thought Florida could be in such a meaningful game after the struggles of October. Florida suffered its first three-game losing streak under Meyer last month but have turned things around with two consecutive wins. The Gators are the healthiest they've been since the preseason. The return of Chris Rainey and the installation of an up-tempo, no-huddle offense have reinvigorated the Gators on that side of the ball. Against Vanderbilt last week, the Gators relied on three quarterbacks for the first time this season, and Meyer said they would use John Brantley, Trey Burton and Jordan Reed going forward.

What to watch:

1. Protecting the quarterback. South Carolina leads the conference in sacks with 32, and the Gators have struggled protecting the QB. They gave up a season-high four sacks at Vandy last weekend. It will be difficult to beat the Gamecocks if Florida can't keep the QB upright.

2. Gamecocks secondary. In short, it is not good. South Carolina ranks last in the SEC in pass defense and is 109th nationally. It has five interceptions. Picking on this could be the way to victory for Florida.

3. Chris Rainey. With Jeff Demps hurt, he's the best playmaker Florida has. Big plays from him in the past two games have led the Gators to wins. Can he do it again?

* The buzz: With the stakes of this game and a night kickoff in The Swamp, the atmosphere was bound to be memorable anyway. But Meyer wants more.

The coach has called for fans to wear all blue, as the players will, and wants the stadium to be "out of control."

Spurrier said Auburn is the loudest place S.C. has played this year. Will Florida Field be louder?